Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Common Sense to Challenge "Scientifically-Based" Straitjacket?

I came across this releaseon a new book that sounds very interesting. Common sense to replace the straight-jacket definition of "scientifically-based?" I think so.

Debra Craig, teacher and author of 'Why Is the Teacher’sButt So Big?,' calls on parentsand teachers to join herorganizations, Better Understanding of Teaching & Testing(B.U.T.T.) and it’s companion group Better Understandingof Schools & Teachers(B.U.S.T) Both groups’ goal is to bringcommon sense into public schools andeducation policy.The first target: educate the public about No Child Left Behind and eventually deconstruct this powerful legislation which reeks ofstupidity and is theantithesis of common sense.

(PRWEB) October 18, 2005 -- Despite the unusual acronymsof her organizations,Debra Craigis serious about improvingpublic schools. She has created these two organizations, B.U.T.T.and B.U.S.T., in hopes of creating attention about theproblems with public schools and finding realways of makingthem better. This former kindergarten teacher hopes herefforts will become the touchstone of a new educationrevolution in America. She wants to do this by forgettingwhat “scientifically-basedresearch says,” but instead, do whatcommon sense dictates.

“If you notice, I am careful not to say our goal is putting commonsense 'back intoschools'because I wonder how much commonsense has ever been a part of publiceducation,” addsthis eight-year teaching veteran.

“Teachers are supposedly educated and politicians act likethey are smart. Why then doschools continue questionable practiceslike 'journal writing' and live in fear of thegovernment’snonsensical educational policy, NCLB, which is clueless about the realityof students?” asks the organization’s founder Debra Craig.

Debra’s recently released book, Why Is the Teacher’s Butt SoBig?, looks at 111 mysteriesor things she hasn’t been able tofigure out about public schools. Some of her “mysteries”include issues on money and public schools, education’s loveaffair with homework, andteachers skewed views on grading.However, this Southern California high school teachersaves her biggest criticism for the No Child Left Behind Actwhich sets out to close the achievement gap betweenCaucasians/Asians and African Americans/Hispanics.

“The achievement gap has closed very little in the state ofCalifornia despite the diligent efforts of public schoolsthese last four years. Maybe now will the government believeit isn’t all about blaming the teachers and schools?” says Debra.“Plus it’s absurd that thegovernment puts no responsibility onthe students and parents for their own academicsuccess.”

Currently, Debra is the teacher in an on-campus suspensionclass in a low socio-economic school in Moreno Valley, California,a city 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The title of herbook refers to a real comment made by a kindergartner toanother student on her firstday of teaching.

Debra is scheduling media appearances and interviews todiscuss her newly-formedorganizations and recently publishedbook. Her book is available at Amazon.com andhttp://www.debracraig.com. Please contact her at (951) 247-6980.